Global Sourcing Specialist

About the role

Supports Global Sourcing activities and assists in category management for specified raw materials, including paper-related spend and other raw materials as directed. Acts as a liaison across R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and Procurement to facilitate material trials, supplier engagement, and sourcing initiatives. Provides category knowledge and market insights with emphasis on paper-based materials including various paper and release liners. Delivers data-driven analysis and reporting to inform decisions on cost, quality, availability, and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Support category strategies and sourcing initiatives for assigned raw materials, including paper-based materials such as release liners.
• Maintain working knowledge of paper markets and materials and support paper-related sourcing initiatives as needed.
• Serve as primary liaison across R&D, Plant Operations, Quality, and other stakeholders to plan, coordinate, and communicate material trials, qualifications, and changes.
• Coordinate trial material orders, track timelines, requirements, and trial-related spend to support budget visibility.
• Lead and/or support RFI/RFQ/RFP processes for liners and other materials as directed; consolidate supplier inputs, technical documentation, and pricing data.
• Assess and integrate new or existing suppliers to support future requirements and innovation projects.
• Build and maintain supplier KPI metrics/scorecards; monitor and improve supplier performance against quality, delivery, service, and cost targets.
• Assist in resolution of supply and/or quality issues; coordinate corrective actions with suppliers and internal teams and mediate price/quality disputes as needed.
• Develop sourcing roadmaps and monitor timetables to ensure timely availability of materials to support plant operations and new product launch programs.
• Review supplier capacities and supply risks; recommend tooling and capital investments and/or dual sourcing to protect continuity and support growth.
• Perform demand/supply and market analysis to assess short and long-term pricing trends, raw material availability, and industry capacity for liners and paper.
• Manage sourcing and trial data quality; cleanse and maintain data and deliver reporting/dashboards (trial results, material performance, cost comparisons) to enable decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in a related field.
• Experience in raw material sourcing, with a preference for paper and paper-based materials.
• Working knowledge of paper materials including paper varieties and release liner materials, markets, and specifications; ability to translate technical needs with R&D and Plant Operations.
• Minimum 3 years of experience working in the Purchasing or Supply Chain field, in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience finding, qualifying, assessing, and auditing suppliers, including international suppliers.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel and reporting/dashboard tools.
• Travel is required (up to 20%), including some international travel.
• Ability to organize and conduct meetings with internal and external customers and suppliers.
• Advanced level of negotiating skills needed for involvement in supplier contract process and cost reductions.
• Ability to interact with other internal groups concerning technical matters, conveying ideas, and recommending possible solutions to problems.
• Formal Project Management training is a plus.

Benefits

At IPG, you will find more than just a job—you will find a place where your success is our success. We offer:

• Competitive pay and extensive benefits that support you and your family.
• Exciting career development opportunities, including ongoing training and support to enhance your skills or advance your career.
• A culture built around strong relationships, cross-department collaboration, and sustainability-driven initiatives.
• A stable, secure environment with over 40 years of industry expertise and a proven track record of growth and innovation.